California Perfume Company. by PERFUME / TOILETRIES CATALOG) - Ca. 1916.

New York.: David McConnell.. Ca. 1916.. Catalog 10 1/2 x 15 3/4 inches, 42 glossy pages of high quality illustrations in a thin green cloth-cover board binder secured with screw fasteners. Laid in is a folded brochure 8 ½ x 3 ¾ inches listing prices "effective January 1, 1923"; however, it is likely that the catalog featuring the company’s product line was produced in the teens and was intended for use by the company's contracted regional female sales personnel over the years. OCLC/WorldCat shows only two library holdings; Hagley Museum and Library in Delaware lists two copies (1923 and 1926) and the University of California at Berkeley lists a copy with date of 1920s. There is also one reproduction copy listed. An uncommon catalog in excellent clean condition. The catalog features a magnificent range of products and superb color printing. Pages are separated by thin paper sheets featuring information regarding the products pictured, in magnificent color detail, on the page prior and the page that follows. Many of these sheets have revisionist information (pen or pencil strike-through of printed prices with "corrected" quotes - usually "up"). Text on the title page reads "Color plate catalog of perfumes, toilet waters, sachet powders, complexion creams, talcum powders, toilet preparations, soaps and soap preparation..." followed by a list of 12 additional products offered by the firm. Two sides of a medallion are pictured on the interior of the front cover with text below stating: “Gold Metal Award, Panama-Pacific Exposition, 1915.” A brief history of the company can be found at californiaperfumecompany website /products/cal_catalogs_1. The site provides a history of the firm (which eventually became Avon) and its founder, David McConnell. An uncommon catalog in exceptional condition. .